METROPOLIS, Ill. — Robert Rudolph “Rudy” Wright, age 85, a resident of Metropolis, Illinois, passed away Tuesday afternoon, September 4, 2012, at 1:30 p.m. at Western Baptist Hospital in Paducah, Kentucky.

Rudolph was born April 26, 1927, in Simpson, Illinois. He was the son of William and Delphia (Morgan) Wright.

Rudolph was united in marriage to Arlene Etheridge on July 2, 1956, in Corinth, Mississippi. She survives.

Other survivors include two daughters, Linda Kendall and her husband Ron of Marana, Ariz., and Tammy Felton and her husband Dan of Yorkville, Ill.; one son, David Wright of California; three grandchildren, Nicole Kendall, Michelle McMahon and Troy Felton; four great-grandchildren, Chase Holcomb, Maddux Kendall, Jackson McMahon and Jacob McMahon; a brother, Richard Wright of Golconda, Ill.; several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many dear friends.

In addition to his parents, Rudolph was preceded in death by three brothers, Glenn Wright, James Ward Wright and Marion Wright.

Rudolph was a U.S. Army veteran. He served in the European Theatre of Operations during World War II.

Rudolph was employed as a machinist. He worked for Austin-Western in Aurora, Ill., and was later employed by Fermilab National Accelerator, a U.S. Department of Energy laboratory located at Batavia, Ill. He retired in 1989.

Rudolph was a member of the Community Christian Church at Metropolis, Ill. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed fishing, hunting and riding his ATVs. Rudolph also enjoyed bird watching and was particularly fascinated by hummingbirds and purple martins.

Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon, September 8, 2012, at 3 p.m. at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Pastor Mike Hardison will officiate. Burial will be in the Glendale Cemetery in Pope County, Illinois. Military graveside rites will be accorded by the Beggs-Gurley VFW Post No. 5222 and the Illinois National Guard Burial Honors Detail.

Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna.

Memorials may be made to the American Kidney Fund, Suite 1010, Rockville, MD 20852-9813 (www.kidneyfund.org)

Arrangements have been entrusted to Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna.